PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $700 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $899 MSRP).
✅Delivers 230.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 32.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $899 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 180W, a 115W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2950X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 21,444).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.8% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.8 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($899 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 180W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $700 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $899 MSRP).
✅Delivers 230.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 32.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $899 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 180W, a 115W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.8% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2950X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 21,444).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.8 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($899 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌176.9% higher power demand at 180W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2950X better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 2950X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600 is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 18.8% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the better fit. You are getting 93.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is 351.8% more expensive on MSRP at $899 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 230.4% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 32.8 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 5600 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Ryzen 5 5600 Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
1080p
low	161 FPS	200 FPS
medium	130 FPS	175 FPS
high	112 FPS	143 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	115 FPS
1440p
low	141 FPS	157 FPS
medium	113 FPS	131 FPS
high	95 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	79 FPS	83 FPS
medium	69 FPS	74 FPS
high	55 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	44 FPS	46 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
1080p
low	508 FPS	532 FPS
medium	419 FPS	463 FPS
high	351 FPS	395 FPS
ultra	310 FPS	351 FPS
1440p
low	447 FPS	471 FPS
medium	375 FPS	417 FPS
high	323 FPS	359 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	307 FPS
4K
low	313 FPS	302 FPS
medium	268 FPS	267 FPS
high	243 FPS	247 FPS
ultra	209 FPS	213 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
1080p
low	539 FPS	737 FPS
medium	526 FPS	630 FPS
high	483 FPS	584 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	509 FPS
1440p
low	539 FPS	632 FPS
medium	434 FPS	525 FPS
high	396 FPS	471 FPS
ultra	339 FPS	410 FPS
4K
low	371 FPS	461 FPS
medium	298 FPS	371 FPS
high	255 FPS	332 FPS
ultra	197 FPS	274 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
1080p
low	539 FPS	737 FPS
medium	539 FPS	737 FPS
high	539 FPS	714 FPS
ultra	539 FPS	636 FPS
1440p
low	539 FPS	737 FPS
medium	539 FPS	667 FPS
high	539 FPS	570 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	500 FPS
4K
low	501 FPS	515 FPS
medium	448 FPS	468 FPS
high	398 FPS	415 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	364 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 29,462 points. Launch price was $899.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X uses ZEN+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X's 29,462 — a 31% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,077 vs 21,444 (63.8% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,052 vs 1,255, a 48.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,600 vs 8,814 (2.5% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	32 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (2020−2025)	ZEN+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	21,550	29,462+37%
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,077	21,444+94%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,052+64%	1,255
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,600	8,814+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 2950X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2950X). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2950X) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and Socket TR4 / X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2950X).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
Socket	AM4	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	64+167%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 5600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X debuted at $899. On MSRP ($199 vs $899), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $700 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 32.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 107.1% better value option.